Say It Again ‘West Is Best’ Sonics In Middle Of Battle As Playoffs Tip Off Tonight
The shift of power began last June with the conference claiming its first title since 1988. It continued with four teams winning at least 57 games this season. Today, Hakeem Olajuwon worries not how he will stop Patrick Ewing, but rather how will he propel the Rockets past the first round.
Not since the disassembling of the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s has the West been this wild, purveying a brand of basketball so frenetic, so geared toward esthetically pleasing dunks and accompanying moves in the open floor. The chore for most teams now is about surviving their own bracket.
How wild? Houston faces the possibility of becoming the first defending champion knocked off in the first round since the Nets stunned Philadelphia in 1984. The Utah Jazz won 60 games - and finished second in the Midwest Division behind San Antonio, a team clearly in flight the last half of the season.
Now, each time Charles Barkley double-clutches his fist and David Robinson lets out a primal scream, each time Karl Malone’s elbows flail and Olajuwon’s graceful frame wheels, it is clear the pendulum has swung.
“I don’t see any weaknesses in them and they probably have the MVP in the middle,” said Denver coach Bernie Bickerstaff, referring to the Spurs and David Robinson, whom the Nuggets meet in the first round. “We’re just happy to be part of this process.”
This is called playing possum in the West, where the parity among the conference’s elite is frightening. Everyone has a superstar, and they all want their ring fingers sized and measured. Sir Charles. The Admiral. Shawn Kemp. The Mailman.
“It’s the best and most even situation I’ve ever been around,” said Seattle coach George Karl. “I can’t remember when there were five or six teams who were trying to find the edge to represent the West. There’s going to be some great basketball and some close, intense games.”
San Antonio and Utah appear to have reserved the playground for late May. They are the league’s two best road teams, their stars are having career years and their role players are all playing within themselves.
Yet Phoenix and Seattle could just as easily take their place in the Western Conference finals. Barkley seems almost reinvigorated since Michael Jordan came out of retirement, carrying the Suns since Danny Manning was lost for the season before the all-star break. You have to go to Orlando to find the balance and depth the Sonics have.
The dark horses: The Lakers, whom coach Del Harris and general manager Jerry West have groomed into a contender for the first time since Showtime, and the Rockets, battling injuries and their own reputation as they try desperately to repeat.
Houston’s Carl Herrera has a separated shoulder, while Olajuwon and Vernon Maxwell only recently overcame bouts with anemia. Clyde Drexler will be an awesome task for Jeff Hornacek, but the Jazz may be too healthy with John Stockton and Malone to bow out early.
Who’s hot? Utah has won seven straight, San Antonio six. The Jazz, Spurs and Suns have won eight of their last 10. Who’s not? The Lakers and Trail Blazers have lost three straight, and Los Angeles has lost eight of its last 10.
But then, what’s in a number? The Lakers have beaten Seattle twice at the Tacoma Dome and four of five times this season, prompting concern for Karl all over again.
“To try to win a championship, there’s a process you have to go through,” Karl said. “Last year, our process was shortened. But we tell people to get over it. It’s history. You have to move forward.”
Which, these days, is the same thing as going West.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Tonight on the tube 4 p.m.: Cavs at Knicks (TBS) 5 p.m.: Hawks at Pacers (TNT) 6:30 p.m.: Rockets at Jazz (TBS) 7 p.m.: Lakers at Sonics (TNT)